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Ryan Day receives updated bonus terms to Ohio State contract to reflect new Playoff format
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Ryan Day will have a chance to earn some extra bonus money this fall with the arrival of the 12-team College Football Playoff if he can lead the Buckeyes out of the Big Ten and into the fight for the national championship.
According to documents obtained by Eleven Warriors, Day has a chance to earn up to $1.55 million in bonuses if Ohio State is able to win the national championship. The latest amendment does not change Day’s salary which was increased to $9.96 million last year.
The amended bonus structure must be fully approved by Ohio State’s Board of Trustees on Thursday.
Ryan Day is eligible to make up to $1.55 million in bonuses this season based on Ohio State’s postseason performance, coach of the year awards and the team’s GPA. https://t.co/12gicnsy4F
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) August 21, 2024
Day’s bonus potential starts within the B1G where he can net $50,000 for capturing the B1G’s Coach of the Year award and a $50,000 bonus for reaching the B1G Championship Game. Winning the B1G title would give Day a $250,000 bonus.
On a national scale, Day has bonus potential related to winning the national Coach of the Year award ($100,000) and multiple bonuses related to the Playoff. Winning the national championship would net Day a $1 million bonus with bonuses for reaching the CFP ($100,000), reaching the 2nd round of the CFP ($250,000) and reaching the semifinals ($350,000). Finishing as the national runner-up would award Day $500,000.
That’s a pretty good sign Day could be looking at an extra payday when the 2024 season wraps up. Ohio State continues to lead the latest Big Ten Championship odds produced by ESPN Bet, and the Buckeyes are among the teams given the best odds to win the national title.

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Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.